By Kim Jae-kyoung
Staff Reporter

Those living in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province will be able to travel the greater metropolitan area within 40 minutes from 2016 as a project to build a new underground railway in the region is taking shape.

The network, dubbed ``Great Train Express'' (GTX), is expected to bring major changes to the current metro system linking Seoul to Gyeonggi Province and Incheon. The GTX will serve Seoul and a large part of Geyonggi via deeper underground tracks.

On Wednesday, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo announced the outcome of a feasibility study on the economics of the project conducted by the Korea Society of Transportation.

Based on the results, Gyeonggi Province suggested three key underground lines ― a 46.3 km stretch between Ilsan and Suseo; 49.9 kms between Songdo in Incheon and Cheongryangri; and 49.3 kms between Euijeongbu and Geumjeong.

The study is to be submitted to the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs this week. The ministry will go over the project and make a final decision on whether to include the project in its master plan for the greater metropolitan area metro system later this year.

Once construction of the three lines ― which will cost 13.9 trillion won ― is completed, the daily volume of surface traffic bound for Seoul will be reduced substantially, saving a total of 580 billion won in energy consumption a year, according to Gyeonggi officials.

GTX stations will be set up every 10km, compared to existing subways with stations every 1 to 1.5km. The GTX will run at around 120kmph, three times faster than the existing subways.

kjk@koreatimes.co.kr